The Best Wedding Guest Hairstyles for Summer and Beyond

Key Points

• Wedding guest hairstyles should complement one's look while never competing with the bride's.

• Ahead, pro hairstylists share their favorite looks along with tips and tricks to DIY at home.

After hitting send on your RSVP, the countdown is on to celebrate the happy couple on their big day. Next on the agenda? Zeroing in on the best wedding guest hairstyles. 

Of course, it's important to pick the right dress and choose a thoughtful gift , but your hair should also be top of mind. With so many trends , it's easy to get overwhelmed—especially if you're trying to DIY. Not to mention, each venue has a different vibe and dress code. Luckily, there are a few ways to find the most flattering hairstyle, with plenty of looks that are easy to execute at home. 

The good news? If you've already selected a dress, you've completed the first step. "How you wear your hair as a wedding guest really depends on what you're wearing," says trichologist and celebrity hairstylist Vanessa Ocando . "Your hair should complement the dress the same way jewelry does—it's part of the full story." 

A good rule of thumb is to refer to the silhouette. If you're in a high-neck or structured neckline, Ocando recommends a pulled-back style or updo. "This creates that beautiful separation and lets the dress shine," she says. For a strapless or open neckline, you have more freedom. "Wearing your hair down or choosing a half‑up half‑down style adds softness and keeps the proportions feeling balanced." 

If you want to DIY your look, celebrity hairstylist and SexyHair ambassador Clayton Hawkins recommends running a few trials to avoid any last-minute mishaps. "Don't attempt a hairstyle you've never done before on the day of the wedding," he says. "Stick with a look you've practiced, prep with the right products, and remember that longevity is more important than perfection." 

Ahead, we asked pro hairstylists to share their best wedding guest hairstyles for every vibe and venue. Read on for their tips and recommendations. 

Meet Our Expert

• Vanessa Ocando is a certified trichologist, hairstylist, and founder of The Bessa Beauty

• Clayton Hawkins is a hairstylist and SexyHair ambassador

• Sophie Rose is a hairstylist, curl specialist, and founder of Wynn Rose Boutique Hair Salon

01 of 09

Undone Bun

Don't get this look confused with your messy gym bun. The undone bun is a bit more polished and takes some work, but can be executed with the right products. To start, Ocanda recommends working a wax spray through your hair with your fingers or a brush. "This gives that soft, effortless texture instead of a stiff, overly‑done finish," she says. Smooth the hair back towards your nape, then secure a ponytail with a hair tie. "Next, spray the ponytail with wax, twist sections, and pin them into place. This is a look you can play with; the little imperfections are what make it feel modern and perfect. Finish with hairspray." 

02 of 09

Slick Back Bob

Who says short hair can't be versatile? If you have a bob or lob haircut, this slicked-back style is perfect for showing off your neckline. "For our short‑hair people, a sleek style with a slight flip at the nape and a very soft part is such a chic option," says Ocando. "Apply gel and wax section by section, brushing back with a wide‑tooth comb; the comb creates those subtle lines and divot texture that make the look feel modern. Finish with a strong‑hold hairspray and a shine spray for that glossy, camera‑ready finish." 

03 of 09

Braided Bun

Simple and refined, this braided bun looks great for any occasion and is perfect for hot summer weddings. For an extra sleek finish, apply a touch of wax and smooth hair back with a boar-bristle brush. "Keep brushing until every bump has disappeared, then secure the ponytail with an elastic," says Ocando. "Braid the ponytail length and secure the end with a hair tie. Wrap the braided ponytail around the base and pin it into place. Finish with a strong‑hold hairspray." 

04 of 09

Toussled Curls

Curly girls—let your texture shine with mussed, romantic curls. For texture and lift, Hawkins recommends adding styling powder to give your hair some extra oomph. Apply a small amount at the root and massage in with your fingers for instant volume. Using the excess product, scrunch the rest into your hair, which will help maintain definition and hold.

05 of 09

Hollywood Waves

A classic look for black-tie occasions, Hollywood waves are all about the preparation. Before washing hair, Ocando recommends using a scalp serum to break up oil and buildup at the root for maximum volume. Shampoo hair and apply conditioner to the ends only. "Blow‑dry with a root‑lifting spray. Once your hair has cooled, use a 1 or 1.25 inch curling iron and curl the entire head in one direction. Let the curls cool for about 15 minutes, then lightly mist with hairspray and gently brush out from the bottom up for that soft, glamorous finish. Add one more touch of hairspray to set the look." 

06 of 09

Straight Back

For outdoor summer weddings, celebrity hairstylist Sophie Rose loves hair worn tucked behind the ears, which keeps hair in place no matter the weather. "Straight back is always a good look, especially if it's a beach wedding with humidity," she says. "Use an oil to finish the hair to keep it shiny but also hydrated."

07 of 09

Claw Clip Illusion Updo

Rose created this illusion updo for actor Auli'i Cravalho, which mimics the look of a claw clip. Using mini French hair pins, Rose secured messy sections of hair into twists and left the ends out to create the same effortless movement. "This look is great especially if you plan on dancing the night away. Make sure to section off some face-framing pieces for a soft and romantic touch. Lock in flyaways with a spritz of light hairspray. 

08 of 09

Bouncy Blowout

When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a bouncy blowout. To get the same shiny look as Addison Rae, Hawkins recommends prepping the hair with plenty of volumizing mousse before styling to lock in the body and bounce. "The perfect blowout like this one I did on Addison is fabulous for a wedding," he says. It's a classic for a reason." Not a pro with the hair dryer and roundbrush? There are plenty of hot air brush options that will help you achieve the look at home. 

09 of 09

Barbie Ponytail

To keep cool during summer weddings, Hawkins recommends this polished Barbie ponytail he created on Meg Stalter. "It's chic and feminine but still keeps hair out of your face and off your neck." Start with a blowout to get strands sleek and shiny. Section off a deep side part and clip off to the side. Gathering the rest of your hair, pull everything up into a high ponytail and smooth out any bumps with a boar-bristle brush. Secure with a hair tie and add loose waves to the ends with a wide-barrel curling iron. Release the sectioned hair and use a small brush to smooth down the side part before securing with a bobby pin. Add hair serum as needed for extra shine. 

Read the original article on InStyle